Anyone convicted of domestic violence in the previous three years would be disqualified from being hired as a police officer if legislation passed by the House Monday becomes law. The bill also adds conviction of the crime as grounds for suspending or revoking a police officer’s certification. The vote in favor of the HB 17 followed a lengthy debate that was kicked off by Rep. Bill Rehm, R-Albuquerque, who said the bill would disqualify someone for shaking their finger at their spouse.

“Someone would lose their livelihood for shaking their finger at their wife,” he said.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Nate Cote, D-Doña Ana, disagreed, saying the bill only pertained to those who had actually been convicted of domestic violence. The bill had been amended in the House Judiciary Committee, he explained, to ensure that the bill only applied to those convicted of the crime. Speaker of the House Ben Lujan later pointed out to Rehm that he voted for the bill in that committee hearing. Rehm replied that if he voted for the bill in committee, it was a mistake as he is not in favor of the bill.

Rep. Powdrell-Culbert, R-Corrales, said HB 17 was “a needless piece of legislation,” citing the lengthy test potential law enforcement officers must take before being accepted into police academies and which she said would weed out those with violent tendencies.

Cote made the point that it was important to ensure domestic violence offenders weren’t on the police force because police officers were the “first responders” to domestic violence calls. HB 17 adds to a federal law that prohibits the carrying of firearms for certain domestic violence crimes, including aggravated stalking and aggravated assault.

Rep. Dennis Roch, R-Tucumcari, attempted to add an amendment to HB 17 that would make the law apply only to felony convictions. “The smallest misdemeanor conviction cannot be put on par with the greatest felony conviction in this matter,” Roch said.

Cote, who pointed out that there are misdemeanor offenses on the books already that remove certifications from law enforcement offers responded by saying, “I wouldn’t confuse other misdemeanors with domestic violence, which is a serious problem, “adding that his bill would help “to protect the citizens of New Mexico.”

The amendment, which failed, was also opposed by Rep. Ken Martinez, who said misdemeanor battery was important to include and that “any attempt to take misdemeanors out really guts the bill,” as misdemeanor battery is defined as “temporary painful disfigurement,” ie. bruises, scratches, etc.

Here is a short video of Cote explaining the intent of the bill: